By Ubanna
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and SafetyAgency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ,MoU, setting out areas of collaboration in weather forecasting and climate research. Bashir Jamoh, Director General,NIMASA Had signed the MOU, on behalf of the agency while Mansur Bako Matazu, a Professor, overseeing NiMet, signed on behalf of his own agency.
The MoU, according to an insider, was designed as a framework for NiMeT to provide meteorological services for NIMASA’’ to improve the welfare of Seafarers and Safety of navigation of vessels in Nigerian waters in line with the recommendations of the International Maritime Organization, IMO.
Jamoh, the NIMASA boss had expressed confidence that the forecast for maritime safety and security through NiMet for NIMASA, would not only improve safety of Ship navigation in Nigerian waters, but will greatly enhance the confidence of the international community in the Nigerian maritime sector.
According to him, “The objective of the MoU between NIMASA and NiMet is to enhance the capacity of both Agencies with a view to providing relevant meteorological services ‘’to seafarers and ocean going vessels that will allow sustainable development of the Nigerian marine environment and delivery of products and services to the various sectors related to maritime safety, security, marine environment protection and other maritime activities.”
“it is clear that the collaboration between NIMASA and NiMet will help the maritime sector fill the gaps earlier identified by the International Maritime Organization during its last audit of the country’s maritime space”,He further remarked.
In apparent response to the NIMASA helmsman reamrks, Matazu, the NiMet Director General was said to have assured stakeholders that the industory would soon begin to benefit from the partnership between NIMASA and the sister agency in the same way that the aviation sector are benefiting from NiMet’s services. Only “recently, the weather forecasting agency had invested over N720 million in equipment for the maritime services.’’ We are fully ready to make our services count in the maritime sector and we are sure that the maritime community globally is proud of this Nigerian initiative”. He had said.
Osagie Edward, an Assistant Director, and spokesperson of NIMASA who had issued a Statement after the signing of the MOU between the two government agencies had said that as part of the deal, the maritime Regulatory agency will provide ‘’the mechanism for the dissemination of marine meteorological information to seafarers, make provision for calibration, consultancy, and certification of instruments and equipment as well as ensure periodic training of staff engaged in meteorological observation’’.
